Have you ever been winded halfway up a flight of stairs? Or maybe you get home after a long day of work, the kids want you to kick the ball around in the yard with them, but you just don’t have the energy.Whatever the case may be, adding exercise into your weekly routine is the answer.Sure, a set of washboard abs and killer glutes are a bonus, but fitness isn’t only about aesthetics. Research shows that exercise has the power to positively impact your quality of life, helping you to feel better, have more energy, and potentially add years to your life.Regardless of your age, gender, or physical ability, anyone can benefit from some form of regular exercise.Check out these top four ways exercise can help you live better each day!

Whether you’re grocery shopping, doing yard work, or rearranging the furniture, exercise can help you carry out these daily tasks with an added pep in your step.Physical fitness is shown to reduce symptoms of fatigue while boosting energy levels. By utilizing the stored-up energy already in your body, you actually make more of it. As the old saying goes, “Objects in motion tend to stay in motion, while objects at rest tend to stay at rest.”In addition, the increased muscle mass will make daily tasks feel less challenging. The key is to get your body moving on a consistent basis – this goes for any type of training that is done frequently, from lifting weights to running or doing yoga.

With improved muscular strength and boosted endurance, you’ll have the energy to do a wide range of activities you may not have done in years (or ever!) This can allow you to re-discover an old hobby or gain a new one – kayaking, fishing, hiking – the world is your oyster.The best part is you can make physical fitness a family affair. Getting active together is a powerful bonding experience due to the increased levels of oxytocin you experience together. And inside the bedroom is no exception!Physical health can positively impact your sex life and intimacy – from enhanced physical performance to increased libido. Confidence in the way you look and feel can help to improve performance, while not having to worry about pain or discomfort will allow you to get lost in the pleasure of the moment.Additionally, poor health and fitness can lead to various sexual dysfunctions, particularly for men. This includes low testosterone levels leading to erectile dysfunction.Exercise not only lowers stress-inducing hormones like cortisol that can decrease your libido, but it boosts hormones known to ramp up your sex drive. Another reason to get active with your partner inside and outside the bedroom!A regular workout program will allow you to explore the best parts of life with the people that matter most. And you won’t have to worry about throwing your back out, pulling a muscle, or being sore for countless days afterward.

Do you suffer from chronic pain? How about lower back problems? Have you ever pulled a muscle while attempting a simple task? Full-body workouts help you build a strong foundation to support your entire body, including your joints, tendons, and even bones.When muscles are weak, they don’t function at their optimal capacity. A weak musculature is a perfect recipe for injuries, causing imbalances and misalignments throughout the body. By increasing the loadbearing capacity of your muscles, you’ll also decrease your overall risk of injury.Additionally, shedding excess pounds through exercise can be beneficial for the longevity of your joints, decreasing your risk for common conditions such as osteoarthritis, and helping you to continue doing the activities you love for the rest of your life.

One common misconception is that as you age, your training should become slow and easy. However, the opposite is true. Doing age-appropriate strength and power training helps preserve muscle and improve your balance and ability to react quickly.These are critical factors for lowering your risk of falls and preventing fractures as you age, meaning fitness is even more important with each passing birthday. Falling without the adequate strength to protect yourself or get back up can be life-threatening.According to the CDC, falls are the number one cause of traumatic brain injuries, cause 95% of hip fractures, and land 3 million elderly Americans in the emergency room each year. Whatsmore is that by 2030, the CDC projects that 7 Americans will die each hour due to a fall.With stronger bones and muscles, you can better protect yourself from impact and minimize damage. In addition, your bones will be far less likely to break, and if they do, to a lesser degree. So you can expect to make a faster, more complete recovery.

Whether you’re seeking ease of movement throughout your day, wish to minimize and prevent the chance of injury, or desire to spend more quality time with your family – these are just a few of the real-life benefits of exercise that can help you live better!Get started down the road to a better life without worrying about the details – I’ll help you stay on track every step of the way!